Architecture of India

Course Type	Course Code	No. Of Credits
Foundation Core	MAHM-HRM2AM102 / MCPHM-HRM2CP102

Semester and Year Offered: Semester - I

Course Coordinator and Team:

Email of course coordinator:

(This course envisages wide range of scientific and critical knowledge on architectural science and its historic progression)

Objectives of the course:

Study of philosophical and metaphysical aspects of Indian architecture with emphasis on cosmographs and ritual geometry.
Elaborate discussion and dissemination of knowledge on layouts, designs and sculptural schemata of Indian architecture with focus on three major forms: stupa, rock cut caves and structural temples.
Comprehensive explanation of Indian historic architecture and city planning from the Harappan age to the modern era.
Comparative study of trabeate form of architecture with Indo-Persian or arcuate system.

Learning Outcome:

Dissemination of knowledge on city planning of the proto-historic age/Harappan age.
Imparting knowledge on various forms and features of Indian architecture, viz; Stupa, Chaitya, Mahavihara, Jain and Hindu temples.

Learning of the trabeate system of architecture with emphasis on lintels, beams, pillars, pilasters, and other architectonic forms.
Learning of the arcuate system with emphasis on domes, stalactite pattern, brackets, bastions, pendentives etc.
Experiential and visual knowledge of aesthetic culture of India.

Modules:

Cultural geometry and Ritual Cosmographs: It elucidates the various forms of mandalas; ritually significant designs and their metaphysical and theological importance in construction of a Hindu shrine.

Architectural Forms and Designs: This module explains layout, architectural designs, architecture tonic features and decorative schemata of Stupa, chaitya, Mahavihara (rock-cut shrines), and helps in understanding the structural and physical forms viz., architecture of Sanchi, Karle, Ajanta and Ellora.

Temple Forms- Nagara, Vesara and Dravida: The structural variations, regional forms and features marked the evolution of distinct styles in different regions of India like Nagara, Vesara and Dravida. Their Comparative study is the kernel of discussion of this module.

Arcuate Style and Evolution of Indo- Persian Architecture: It vividly explains the synthesis of trabeate and arcuate systems of architecture wherein the interlocking system of indigenous form and its decorative features merged with Persian forms with majestic arches and colossal domes.

Indian Knowledge System:

This paper Architecture of India profoundly discusses Indian knowledge on Sthapatya/ Vastu Shastra mentioned in ancient texts like Mayamata and Manasara. It provides prolific information on ancient Indian engineering, art and city planning from Harappan period to modern age.

Consolidated Reading List:

Acharya, P.K. 1993. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture. New Delhi.
Acharya, P.K. 1995. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture. New Delhi.
Asher, C.B. 1995. Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge University Press
Balasubramanyam, S.R. 1978. Middle Chola Temples. Faridabad
Brand, M & Lowry, G.D. 1987. Fatehpur Sikri. Marg Publication
Brown, P. 1996. Indian Architecture (Islamic Period). Bombay.
Brown, P. 1997. Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods). Bombay.
Coomaraswamy, A.K. 1983. Symbolism of Indian Architecture. Jaipur
Coomaraswamy, A.K. 1991. Early Indian Architecture. New Delhi
Cousens, H. 1996. The Chalukyan Architecture. New Delhi.
Dallapiccola, A.L. (ed.) 1985. Vijayanagara - City and Empire - New Currents of Research. Stuttgart.
Fergusson, J. 1910. History of Indian and Eastern Architecture (2 Vols.). London.
Fergusson, J. and Burgess, J. 1988. The Cave Temples of India. New Delhi.
Govind Chandra, R. 1996. Indian Symbolism. New Delhi.
Hardy, A. 1995. Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation. New Delhi.
Khanna, Madhu. 2004. Rita: The Cosmic Order. D.K. Print world (p) Ltd. & IGNCA. Delhi
Koch, Ebba. 2014. Mughal Architecture and Outline. Princess Books. Delhi.
Kramrisch, S. 1976. The Hindu Temple (2 Vols.). New Delhi.
Krishnadeva, 1990. Temples of India (2 Vols.). New Delhi.
Krishnadeva, 1990. Temples of Khajuraho, New Delhi.
Macdonald, A.W. 1997. Mandala and Landscape. New Delhi.
Meister, H.W. & Dhaky, M.A. (eds.) 1991. Encyclopaedia of Indian temple Architecture. American Institute of Indian Studies
Michell, G. 1995. Architecture and Art of Southern India. Cambridge University Press
Nagaraju, S. 1981. Buddhist Architecture of Western India. Delhi.
Nath, R. 1994. History of Mughal Architecture. Delhi.
Page, J.A. et al 1997. Monuments of Delhi (3 Vol.). New Delhi.
Roy, Anamika. 2015. Sixty-Four Yoginis, Cult, Icons and Yoginis. Primus Books. Delhi.
Settar, S. 1992. The Hoysala Temples (2Vol.). Dharwad.
Smith,Walter. 1994. The Mukteshvara Temple in Bhubaneswar. Motilal Banarsi Das. Delhi.
Soundara Rajan, K.V. 1981. Cave Temples of the Deccan. New Delhi.
Srinivasan, K.R. 1971. The Temples of South India. New Delhi.
Srinivasan, K.R. 1973. Cave Temple of the Pallavas. New Delhi.
Tadgell, C. 1990. The History of Architecture in India. Phaidon Press Ltd.
Tomory E. 1989. A History of Fine Arts in India and the West. Madras.
Vatsyayan, K. 1991. Concept of Space, Ancient and Modern. New Delhi.